Des Moines, Iowa
March 11, 1999Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. today announced the
company will make the design for its popular PROBOX* seed handling system available to the
seed industry through Buckhorn, Inc., a leader in reusable plastic container and pallet
systems.
The PROBOX system was first introduced to Pioneer customers in 1998
on a limited basis and is manufactured exclusively for Pioneer by Buckhorn. This action
will allow Buckhorn to market the PROBOX system to others in the seed industry.
"Since the introduction of the PROBOX system, Pioneer and Buckhorn have received a
great deal of interest in the design from others in the seed industry," says Mark
Batchelder, director of production at Pioneer. "This demand stems not only from
growers desires for greater ease and convenience in bulk seed handling, but the seed
industrys need to provide greater protection for todays higher value seed. The
ProBox container offers an effective solution to all these needs."
For 1999, more than 60,000 PROBOX containers will be used for delivery of bulk seed from
Pioneer. Made of rigid, injection-molded plastic, the rectangular container holds 2,500
pounds or 50 "traditional bag" equivalents and can be moved and unloaded using a
heavy-duty forklift or a forklift attachment for a tractor. It features a convenient,
center drain hopper bottom that makes unloading simple and easy.
System Could Become Industry Standard
Nearly four years of product development and testing were completed before the first
PROBOX container was released to Pioneer customers. Though it is not the only rigid-wall
bulk seed container on the market, the innovative, state-of-the-art design of the PROBOX
system has made it very popular among both producers and seed retailers.
"The PROBOX containers are great. They stack easily, and they are so easy to handle
and unload, they are a great time-saver for me," says Tom Snodgrass, Pioneer seed
representative from Brock, Nebraska. "This year, Im expecting a number of my
customers to move bulk seed to their farms using the PROBOX container. Even if they
dont have a watertight building for seed storage, the PROBOX containers are nearly
weather tight and protect the seed from moisture as well as from rodents." The center
discharge is also a valuable feature because it allows one person to safely remove part or
all of the seed from the container, Snodgrass points out.
Another benefit that may arise from the PROBOX system becoming available to the entire
seed industry is standardization of other transfer and handling equipment.
"The equipment industry has found it most beneficial to provide their customers
equipment that fits the same standards for items such as a 3-point hitch and power take
off shaft," says Mark Gabrick, district sales manager for Buckhorn. "Were
expecting continued growth in demand for bulk seed. One standard bulk seed container will
make it easier for equipment manufacturers to create seed handling equipment that fits the
container and meets the needs of growers for easy, convenient and safe bulk seed
handling."
Buckhorn, a Myers Industries, Inc., company, designs and manufactures a broad line of
reusable plastic bulk and hand-held containers, pallets and interior dunnage; and provides
services ranging from system planning and implementation to project management and custom
design. Buckhorn products and services meet transport, handling and storage needs for
companies in the manufacturing, retail/wholesale distribution and food industries to help
them reduce supply chain costs and improve efficiency.
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., (NYSE-PHB) is the
world's leading supplier of agricultural genetics and is the leading developer and
integrator of agricultural technology. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer
develops, produces and markets a full line of seeds, forage/grain additives and services
to grain and livestock producers, grain processors and other customers worldwide.
* Trademark, registered or applied for, of Pioneer Hi-Bred
International, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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